Subwoofers — B&W (Bowers & Wilkins) DB2D

The DB2D is a large powered subwoofer from Bowers & Wilkins, built for deep bass extension in a serious home theatre or two-channel system. B&W's DB-series subwoofers sit at the more serious end of the brand's bass-reinforcement catalogue, distinct from the more accessible ASW range aimed at a broader consumer market.

Position in line

It sits below the DB3D in B&W's DB-series subwoofer range, above the DB1D, occupying the middle tier by output and cabinet size. The three-model DB-series structure suggests a fairly deliberate graduation by driver size and amplifier power, giving buyers a reasonably clear sense of where each model sits just from its position in the numbered sequence.

Key specs that matter

Rated response is an exceptionally deep 10 Hz to 350 Hz, reaching well below typical subwoofer ranges at the low end - a 10 Hz figure is infrasonic, well below what most listeners can consciously hear as pitch, and points to a design intended to deliver felt as much as heard bass. The built-in amplifier is rated at 1000 W. At 43.0 x 37.7 x 36.0 cm and 36 kg it is a substantial, dense cabinet, consistent with the engineering typically required to reach such deep frequencies with genuine authority rather than merely claiming the figure on a spec sheet.

Sound and use context

Expect very deep, high-output bass extension, with the 10 Hz rated low-end figure suggesting infrasonic capability for demanding film or music content - this is squarely a component for a home theatre system with ambitions toward reference-level low-frequency reproduction.

Pairing

Standard subwoofer-level inputs work with any AV processor or preamplifier offering a subwoofer output, so integration should be straightforward regardless of the rest of the system.

Alternatives

The DB1D sits below this model for smaller rooms; the DB3D sits above it for the largest installations in B&W's range, worth considering only if this model's already substantial output proves insufficient. Because a subwoofer capable of infrasonic output draws considerable current under demanding content, a dedicated or lightly loaded mains circuit is worth arranging during installation to avoid any risk of nuisance breaker trips during a particularly bass-heavy scene. Cable runs from amplifier to subwoofer should use an adequately rated gauge given the substantial current a 1000 W amplifier module can draw under peak demand, rather than assuming any thin speaker cable already on hand will suffice.